Herman Van Rompuy
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Religion: Pontifices maximi
18 March 201360 L’Echo Brussels -
EU-Ukraine: Financial stick and carrot
26 February 2013151PresseuropEuropean Voice, Gazeta Wyborcza -
European Union: Herman the Jedi
6 December 201219 L’Echo Brussels -
EU budget: Herman the poet
26 November 201223 Cicero Berlin -
EU Budget: Rubbery figures
23 November 201221 The Guardian London -
European Institutions: Van Rompuy prepares modest reform
14 September 20127310PresseuropLa Repubblica -
European institutions: Technocrats pave the way for the sceptics
12 September 201216538 El País Madrid -
Debate: Europe is like 19th century Japan
6 August 201228937 Svenska Dagbladet Stockholm -
Democracy: Time to elect the EU president
11 July 201230070 Fokus Stockholm -
European Council: A stress test for the Europeans
27 June 20126561 El País Madrid -
European Council: The “grey mouse” has made his nest
23 February 2012947 NRC Handelsblad Amsterdam
In an effort to relaunch the European project, Herman Van Rompuy and Mario Monti are proposing an extraordinary summit. At a time when the democratic deficit in the running of the EU is coming under increasing fire, this idea dreamed up by two unelected leaders is rather unwelcome, notes a Spanish political scientist. 
A fragmented territory controlled by local potentates with a weak central government that is not taken seriously by the rest of the world: the EU now resembles Japan in 1860s, argues a Swedish journalist. But the construction of a real European political power could prove to be counter-productive. 
Why do Europeans know more about Obama and Romney than Barroso and Van Rompuy? Because they cannot elect the leaders of the EU, writes Swedish journalist Martin Ǻdahl. The best way to address this European "democratic deficit" would be to put the candidate to the electoral test. 
By offering greater control over national budgets and banks, the heads of EU institutions are taking up the federalist challenge launched by Germany. But this solution risks provoking resistance from some member states – without weakening the attacks from the markets. 
He may avoid the limelight on the European stage, but in two years, Herman Van Rompuy has discreetly taken control. For the moment without a challenger, on 1st March he will most likely be chosen for a second mandate as President of the European Council.